Fires and clashes broke out in several French cities on Saturday as thousands of people took to the streets to protest rising living costs and support student demands, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannons to disperse violent groups.
In Paris, a car and a newspaper kiosk were set on fire at Place de la République. Police fired tear gas to push back masked protesters who threw fireworks and other objects at officers.
In Lyon, France’s third-largest city, a fire broke out inside a tourist office, sending smoke and flames from the building, reports AP.
In the southern port city of Marseille, several shops and a municipal police station were damaged. Some protesters also briefly entered the lobby of City Hall before police dispersed them.
Authorities recorded 140 protest actions outside the Paris region by midday, involving more than 30,000 people, according to the office of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. At least 166 people were arrested nationwide.
The Interior Ministry reported violence involving masked protesters in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers. The incidents included attempted looting, attacks on police, fires involving street furniture and damage to government institutions and media outlets.
The demonstrations followed social media calls to revive the “Yellow Vest” movement, which emerged in 2018 over social injustice. Student groups, which have been organising school blockades since mid-September, urged supporters to join the protests.
The CGT, one of France’s major labour unions, also backed the demonstrations, demanding higher wages and pensions, lower prices and protection of public services.
President Emmanuel Macron called for calm on Friday, saying people had a constitutional right to protest and express their views but must respect others and public property.
Police banned some planned gatherings in central Paris. Several metro stations were also closed at their request, including stations near the Champs-Elysées, the presidential palace, parliament and government offices.
Student protests raise concerns over police response
France has witnessed thousands of arrests, hundreds of injuries and fires at schools in recent weeks as student demonstrations spread across the country. The protests have also influenced the presidential election campaign and attracted international attention.
Some teenagers have suffered serious injuries from police crowd-control weapons. Following an incident in which a 15-year-old lost a hand, Interior Minister Nuñez suspended the use of a type of police stun grenade against young demonstrators.
Climate and social justice activist Greta Thunberg joined students at a high school in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, on Tuesday.
